“Life affords no higher

pleasure than that of

surmounting difficulties,

passing from one step of

success to another,

forming new wishes,

and seeing them gratified.

He that labors in any great

or laudable undertaking

has his fatigues first

supported by hope,

and afterwards rewarded by

joy…

To strive with difficulties,

and to conquer them,

is

the highest human felicity.”

-Samuel Johnson

After two beautiful days of sunshine, the rain came.

As I was driving home tonight, I could see the odious deep blue rain clouds slowly creeping in, as if to allow us all more than enough time to quickly finish up anything we may have been doing outside and escape to the indoors.

While rain is not appreciated by some, I am always glad to see it, feel it and smell the refreshing scent it brings especially on a hot summer day.    But there are times, when rain never seems to cease.  Many places in the mid-west and east coast know this feeling all too well as of late.

Sometimes it seems that the rain in our lives, the workload, the stress, the worries, will never let up.  And while it is hard to see beyond the storm,  believe it or not, there is something beyond it.  Exactly how beautiful it will be is determined by how we handle the tumult of the weather we are dealing with.

There may be periods of frustration, hair-pulling, and moments of voices raised, but without the struggles, without the obstacles, joy could not be felt as intensely; happiness wouldn’t be felt so deeply.  There can be beauty in the battle, so push through, grab each opportunity no matter how hard it might be to grasp. It most certainly will be worth the pains.

Out of curiosity, what struggles have you persevered through and what was the joy you discovered on the other side?  Sometimes the best source of inspiration is found from those who speak from experience; so I look forward to hearing about your journeys and the destination that was reached. Have a beautiful Monday, whether it be rain or sun outside.